The Boxer

If I'd been born a street away

Another star ascending

I'd have been a fighter

A boxer in the ring

And I salute the boxer

If he lose or if he win

Not the cigar ash-blashed fat men

Who sit around the ring

I want water in the bottle

And not brandy in the glass

Bruised and battered maybe

But a fighter to the last

So I salute the boxer

If he lose or if he win

Not the cigar ash-blashed fat men

Who sit around the ring

And I have watched the fighters

Since I was just a kid

From the struggle through the ghettos

To their championship bids

And it ain't just for the money

That a guy gets cut and bruised

But to please the ringside fat men

And to keep them amused

I want water in the bottle

And not brandy in the glass

Bruised and battered maybe

But a fighter to the last

So I salute the boxer

If he lose or if he win

Not the cigar ash-blashed fat men

Who sit around the ring

No boxer started out rich

And I hate when they complain

They're calling it blood money

They talk of damage to the brain

But the poor do not want charity

They only want their pride

Better go down fighting

Than accept a back seat ride

I want water in the bottle

And not brandy in the glass

Bruised and battered maybe

But a fighter to the last

So I salute the boxer

If he lose or if he win

Not the cigar ash-blashed fat men

Who sit around the ring

I'm calling this Buchanan

When he takes his final bow

May he go out with his fists high

And ignore the screaming crowd

Ignore the compliments of fat men

Who behind their cigars hid

And keep the sense of pride he gave